Dogs, Temples, Tombs and Spice

Humayun's Tomb

March 13--8:33PM

Today was amazing.  We started the day early with a Skype call to the younger kids and phone call/messages to Jack and Jim.  Jack and Jim are both playing with their bands in South by Southwest (SXSW), so as you are reading this, say a prayer for them.  We are praying great things for them!

After the early "hello's," we continued our morning with a nice breakfast in the hotel lounge.  The people here are unbelievably nice and continue to offer amazing service.  The seasonal fresh fruits are Kiwi and Orange, and John and I are enjoying eating what grows simply on the earth.

Look, these are the kinds of birds that stoop right outside your window.  Hello, wild kingdom!

The man who picked us up from the airport our first day, gave us his card and encouraged us to reach out to him if we wanted someone to take us around and show off Delhi.  So today, we took him up on his offer and rode around with him all over New and Old Delhi.

His name (shortened) is Ji-Tu (pronounced Jee-too).  He speaks very good English and was incredibly friendly.  We tried to get to know him, asking him questions about his wife and family and the places he lived.  John has traveled so many places and has had so many experiences, that at one point in the trip Ji-Tu said "Mr. John, you know so many things!!" We were deliberate in seeking to understand and embrace his lifestyle as a Hindu and what that means culturally.  Global perspective is truly so important.  In India, you do not just start a conversation about your religious beliefs-that would be considered rude to the person you are speaking to; rather, evangelism takes place in the relationships you form.  Introduction to the gospel happens through those relationships; often church members just invite people to come along for a church service. (The relationship and the beginning threads of faith are enhanced through Praise & Worship, and through the bible message taught in Christian Churches here.)  Ji-Tu explained throughout the day the differences between Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh.  He taught us about rulers, kings and exiles....

He drove us first to Old Delhi.  This is a much more impoverished city, bulging with people.  Here you see people literally living on the sides of the road in tents.  Poverty is common. The streets are packed with merchants, residents, cars, bicycles and motorcycles.  The honking is constant.

In Old Delhi, he took us to a temple.  Here, you had to climb the steps, buy a a ticket and remove your shoes.  Once I had been dressed in a robe type covering, we were permitted to enter.  (Ji-Tu waited out on the street for us.) 

The Temple was pretty.  A guide inside talked to us about prayer there and where respective authorities sit.  He explained the different responses from the men and women who come to pray there.  The roles assigned to men and women are very different than in the USA.  While men pray out on tiles in the open, women sit around the border of the temple and pray in groups.

He took us to several different temples and tombs.  This was Humayun's Tomb.  This one in particular has gained world wide recognition.  It houses the Emperor Humayun, his wife, son and other various household members. 

He took us to several other places as well.  Temples, tombs.....Sikh Palaces (take a look at this one made out of marble (see below).

Sikh Temple

 Did you know that dogs roam freely throughout the city?  As tempting as it was to reach out and pet them, the threat of coming home with rabies seemed illogical.  Poor babies, they all look hungry and in need of love.  

A delicious lunch, rich with spices, absent of gluten
bursting with flavor!  The food is literally
AMAZING!!!!

We ended the day here: Delhi Bible Fellowship.  

This is the church whom John has a great fondness for....he has led worship here with them in the past and he was anxious to meet up with them again.  God has actively moved among this people; growing this congregation to over 800 people.  You will be hearing more about their church this weekend.

Until then, we love and miss you and continue, always, to thank a God who watches over us and guides us along the best pathway of our lives.......Psalm 32:8.